Chances of NH teams in RWC2011

ironingbored

Interesting - if only slightly obnoxious - article by David Leggat of the New Zealand Herald on the chances of NH teams at the RWC2011.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/best-of-sport-analysis/news/article.cfm?c_id=1502180&objectid=10713880

barbarians

Jesus, what a crap article!!

Gave no real analysis and tried to fit in too many things into the one article.

As for Northern teams chances, I'd say England and France realistically only have a chance of getting to the semi finals and they would be knocked out by then.
England the only real Northern Hemisphere team with a chance.

jolley123

Ah whatever, I've come to ignore the bashing of the 6 nations by SH fans. I can understand how they think it's tripe, because they don't relate to the history and culture that comes with it.

In regards to the WC i'd put my money on NZ or SA, but I wouldn't be surprised if France or England won. France on their day can beat anyone, just as any team can implode on any given day. I'm not a fan of speculation, I prefer to just wait and see.

Fight_Night

Not much of an article but I'd have to agree with him, going by yesterdays game there is no way England can beat the ABs. Our squad lacks depth in crucial areas(What will we do if Ross gets injured?) and even so we are inconsistent and don't travel well to the SH. Italy and Scotland don't have the players full stop and Wales while being better, still don't have the squad.

France have the players to win but they won't. Lievremont's constant changing of the squad is the only reason I can find that would explain their inconsistency. England could still win and they'll probably do the best of the NH teams but I think the cup will be going to NZ.

PhatPiggins

Anyone but South Africa and I don't care who wins.

France will either beat Kiwi in the pool game or cause an upset in the knock outs. England will make the semi's at worst.

Our pool isn't exactly impossible either. If we can kick on from yesterdays performance we can beat the Aussie's.

LuckyGent88

If Ireland can reproduce yesterdays performance down in NZ and stay injury free, there is no reason why we cant get to the semi's IMO.

We have a team that can beat the aussies who while i love to watch, they can are sometimes hit and miss with there all out attack attitude.
Then we could have South Africa or Wales probably which we should have no fear of. While the SA pack will be much stronger, there defensive attitude would give me confidence of us beating them.
Here's hoping anyway!!!!!!

England should get semi's also but not sure about France....It all depends who is there coach and does he pick there best team.

sock puppet

Imo the World Cup is probably too soon for England and Australia. Maybe a little too late for South Africa. They've a lot of other talented players but none have played much/any international rugby. Expect them to keep plugging away with the likes of Habana, M Steyn and Spies. France just don't have the quality and then there's their coach... Suppose New Zealand aren't the best at the set piece and have no experienced back up for Carter though Delaney and Slade could be up to it.

tommy57

Gas slagging england about yesterday , when New Zealand have practiclly bottled every world cup since they won in 1987. I really think we may have a good world cup this year. But regards the 6 nation teams think france will fail because of internel fighting and england always do well in world cup. They have been in the last 2 finals all the same.

durkadurka

Rubbish article.

It has been a crap 6 nations though.

Ireland yesterday was the standout performance, but this is tempered by what we did in previous games.

Kiwi_knock

Of the 6 nations teams France, England and Ireland are the only teams with a chance of winning the Cup. France have the players but not the manager, the same could be said of England but their main problem is lack of experience and creativity in the midfield. An attacking game will suit players like Youngs, Flood, Foden and Ashton.

Ireland will go in as underdogs and a bit of no hopers (unless we have a good summer tour). This could work to our advantage, and we could surprise a few teams. Australia out of the 3 SH teams is the most beatable if you shut down their attacking threat, their kicking game is weak and they do not have the strongest of packs. A strong Irish defence and a good kicking game will lead us to victory against them.

I think Ireland could top the group and would give us a favourable draw to the Final with Wales QF and England/France SF. I think we can make it to the final if we play to our ability which we have struggled to in past games

It is hard to look past the AB at the moment, they have the home advantage and a lot of their players are looking impressive at the moment. Really expect them to win against any NH or SH team in a comprehensive fashion.

durkadurka

Except they have choked in 95, 99 and 07.

jacothelad

durkadurka wrote: »

Except they have choked in 95, 99 and 07.

..and 91 and 03.;)

Nelson Muntz

AB's are a lot harder to beat in NZ. Can't see anyone beating them.

Rattlehead_ie

Based on the last round of international (6N &Tri Nations) and provincial/club (Heiniken Cup&Super 15) games Ive seen. In all honesty it will be a SH team that wins the RWC this year.
I can't see anyone from the 6Nations or other NH team winning it. The inconsistency displayed from all teams in this years 6N tournament has been unbelievable. While the quality of play from Super 15 up to International level is close to the perfect game based on the new rules etc. I would like to see NZ do it and my money are on them as always, but its NZ and the RWC, they have a history of choking.

That being said there are teams from the NH that could cause an upsets to get to Semis or Finals. France, Ireland and maybe England. France and Ireland being the big ones. Games like Saturday from Ireland prove that when playing a certain type of game we are dangerous to ANYONE. France are France, they have such depth in their squad and a quality of play but again consistency showing this will be their downfall.

*Im leaving out Argentina here, not through disrespect but I haven't seen enough of them to judge, but they are always a tough team.

Nelson Muntz

England did what they do in every game. Ran too much crash ball out wide & it let Ireland use gang tackles & hold up the ball to force turnovers.

That will not happen against the SH teams. It will be one on one defense out wide at a much faster pace than the 6N was played at.